Leslie Venetz on Thriving Habits Outgrowing Their Space

In a recent LinkedIn post, Leslie Venetz shares a relatable struggle: the overwhelming success of a thriving habit. Venetz uses the analogy of a burgeoning plant collection to illustrate how personal passions, when incredibly successful, can outgrow their initial capacity and even the available space, leading to a state of being both proud and slightly overwhelmed.

The post opens with a humorous plea that sets the stage for Venetz’s core observation:

Will somebody please come re-pot my plants for me?

Venetz details the success of their indoor garden, noting the ideal conditions that have led to significant growth. “I have floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows and somewhere along the way my apartment became a greenhouse,” Venetz writes. This visual paints a picture of a flourishing environment, a testament to the care and conditions provided. The author expresses genuine joy in this success: “Which is incredible, honestly. My plants are thriving and I LOVE being surrounded by life.”

The Challenge of Success: When Habits Outgrow Their Containers

However, as Venetz points out, this success presents a new set of challenges. The very things that signify a thriving habit – growth and expansion – can become a source of strain when they exceed current limitations. The core problem, as Venetz articulates, is not a lack of passion, but a lack of capacity.

“The problem is that so many of them have outgrown their pots,” Venetz explains. This metaphor extends beyond horticulture, speaking to any endeavor where growth necessitates a scaling up of resources or space. The author continues, highlighting the dual nature of this expansion: “I need the next size up for about half of them and I am completely out of bigger pots. I have also run out of places to put bigger pots.”

Navigating the Overwhelm

Venetz’s post resonates because it captures a common experience: the feeling of being slightly overwhelmed by one’s own success. It’s a delicate balance between appreciating the flourishing outcome and managing the practicalities that arise from it. The author candidly admits, “I love them. I am also slightly overwhelmed by them.” This sentiment underscores the idea that even the most positive developments require adjustment and management.

The post concludes with a self-aware question that encapsulates the feeling of being consumed by a beloved habit:

🫣 Is there a version of a cat lady but make it a plant hoarder?

Through this engaging and personal anecdote, Leslie Venetz offers a valuable perspective on managing growth. As Venetz demonstrates, recognizing when a habit or passion has outgrown its current form is the first step toward finding solutions, whether that involves acquiring larger pots, finding new spaces, or re-evaluating how to sustain that thriving aspect of life without becoming completely consumed by it.